“New services and dense network coverage are what make La Poste so strong”

Territorial development

Interview with Jean-Claude Pradeilhes, Chair of the Departmental Commission on Local Postal Presence (CDPPT) for the Somme department, following the conference of mayors from this region.

Jean-Claude Pradeilhes, Chair of the Departmental Commission on Local Postal Presence (CDPPT) for the Somme department

What is the Departmental Commission on Local Postal Presence (CDPPT)?

Jean-Claude Pradeilhes : The CDPPT is the body for local collaboration between La Poste, local elected officials, and regional representatives. It is called on to offer its views concerning the annual report on the postal network’s accessibility. The law of 30 April 2007 established these departmental commissions. Their main goal is to guarantee long-term postal coverage, especially in rural and sensitive urban areas. The French government, the French Mayors' Association, and La Poste signed the local postal coverage agreement for the 2014-2016 period on 16 January 2014.

The commission verifies that La Poste is following the accessibility rule as defined by the law of 20 May 2005: at least 90% of the population must be fewer than 5 km and under 20 minutes by car from a La Poste outlet. In addition, it sets out how to distribute the national postal territorial compensation fund. La Poste keeps it informed of planned changes to the network in the department.

What is your role in this commission?

Jean-Claude Pradeilhes : I am the chair of the Somme departmental commission. I interact with representatives of La Poste. Together, we examine proposals for distributing the allocation for the department, and as part of this, I help record requests for assistance to fund the development of facilities: post offices, local postal agencies, and pick-up points.

In collaboration with the elected officials who are part of the CDPPT, we ensure that the provisions of the law are respected. I hear and submit requests and queries made by local elected officials. I can also take part in talks with elected officials of the communities where it would clearly be beneficial to create a local postal agency.

Could you tell us more about the new direction given to the public service centres (MSAPs)?

Jean-Claude Pradeilhes : The objective of the MSAPs is to meet residents’ information needs all in one place by bringing together the relevant bodies under one roof. Here is the rule for setting up an MSAP: the town must have fewer than 2,000 residents, and there must be a postal office open for more than 24 hours over the course of the week. The premises must be accessible to people with limited mobility; they must have enough space for a special, private area to host partners, and must have publicly available computer equipment with internet access. The identified partners are the CAF, CNAM, CNAV, MSA, GRDF, and Pôle Emploi, but that does not exclude the possibility of other bodies offering their support.

Why is La Poste an asset in terms of social bonding?

Jean-Claude Pradeilhes : La Poste possesses the last public service network that covers the entire country. The idea is to ensure that this network continues long term, and to help it evolve by offering new services that maintain social bonds. Creating local postal agencies and pick-up points helps ensure coverage. By pooling everything under one roof, the MSAPs provide a new tool for our patrons, while generating the kinds of savings that social-service bodies need.